Well bit



Oct. 31 1939. A. c. CATLANDY WELL BIT Original Filed June 22, 1938 2 SheetsSheet l m ma Och3l, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'WELLBIT Alfred C. Catland, Alhambra, Cali! assignor'to Globe Oil Tools Company, Los Nietos, cum, l a corporation oi. California Original application June 22, loss, Serial No.

215,145. Divided and this application November 18, 1938, Serial No. 241,206

'1- Claims. .(Cl. 255-11) 7 This application is a. division of application- Serial No. 215,145, entitled Rock bit", filed June 22,1938. A c r Another object of this invention is to provide a rock bit that is of simplified construction and that is inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rock bit embodying a simple, continuous onepiece bearing member for each set of inner cut- 15 ters. The continuous one-piece bearing members embodied in the bit of the present invention replace the pluralities of bearing members heretofore employed, thereby-increasing the strength of the bit structure and promoting economy in 20 the manufacture of the bit.

one-piece bearings for the sets of inner cutters,

and providing for the arrangement of the inner most cutters in adjacent relation whereby they may surround boss parts on the web.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of atypical preferred form and application of-the invention,

35 throughout which description reference is'made to the accompanying drawingsgin which:

Fig. 1 is a side-elevation of the improved bit.

of this invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of one of the cutters and its bearing means being a view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 4. Fig. 3 isa central vertical detailed sectional view of the lower portion of the bit illustrating the mountings for the 45 inner cutters and Fig. ,4 is'an enlarged fragtain of the inner cutters and the adjacent parts. The well bit of the present invention may be said to. comprise, generally, a body IIL'a central bridge or web Ii secured to the 'body Iii, outer 50 roller cutters 12, sets or pairs of inner cutters I4 and I5 and means ii for rotatably supporting the sets of cutters l4 and I5.

The bit body l0 isadapted to be connected with the lower end of a rotary .well drilling string. Means. is provided on b dy m a);

. Another object of this invention is to provide I mentary vertical detailedsectional view of oer-- iacilitating its connection with the drilling string. In the construction illustrated a tapered screw threaded pin I7 is provided on the upper end of the body 'III for connecting the-body with the drilling string. A pair of diametrically opposite legs I8 is provided on the lower end of the body V III. The legs I8 project downwardly and outwardly from the lower end of the body l0 and the lower portions of the legs 20 are substantially vertical. The vertical lower parts of the legs 20 have flat substantially vertical inner surfaces or inner sides 22. The legs land 20 are formed integral with the body.- A central vertical fluid passage 23 enters the body 10 from the upperend of its pin i1 and ports 2 join the lower end of the passage 23'and serve to dis-' charge the circulation fluid from the lower end of the body. Beans or nozzles 25 may be provided in the ports 24 to direct the fluid downwardly against the cutters 12, I4 and IS.

The bridge or web II is secured to the lower end of the body ill to assist in supporting the cutters I2, II and I5 and their respective bearing means. The web I I is an integral member formed separately or independently of the body Ill; The web ll includes a central vertical part 26 and side parts 21 disposed transversely of and extending along the opposite edges of the part 26. The upper end of the webil is flat and opposes a flat downwardly facing suri'ace 28 on the lower end of the body i8. In accordinner sides 22 of the legs 20. In accordance with the invention cylindrical bosses are provided on the opposite sides of the web part 26 and project toward the opposing legs 20. The lower end of the web H is in substantially the same hori-* zontal plane as the lower ends of the body legs it.

' and 20.

The'web ll being a simple, separately formed member is inexpensive and easily machined.

20 and the other internal surfaces of the body'.

oi the web II .to the are accessible for easy machining before the at- 70 bers 53.

The outer cutters I2 are provided to cut the well bore to gauge. As illustrated in the drawings the cutters I2 are frusto-conical members rotatably supported between the body legs I8 and the opposing Web parts 21. Suitable peripheral cutting teeth 32 are provided on the outer cutters I2. The means for rotatably supporting the outer cutters I2 form a portion of the subject matter of my co-pending application, referred to above.

10 The cutters I4 and I5 are provided to act on the earth formation at the inner portion of the well bore. The cutters I4 may be termed inner cutters and the cutters I5 may be termed center cutters. The inner and center cutters I4 and I5 5 are provided in sets or pairs positioned at opposite sides of the central vertical axis of the bit and each pair includes a cutter l4 and a cutter I5. The inner cutters I5 are frusto-conical members having tapered or pitched .peripheries and flat generally parallel ends. Central longitudinal openings 48 extend through the cutters I4. The openings 48 are of substantial diameter and the inner portions of the openings 48 are somewhat reduced-in diameter. The cutters I4 are provided with suitable peripheral cutting teeth 49.

The inner cutters are positioned to have their large ends facing outwardly.

The center cutters I5 are located at the inner ends of the cutters I4 and are in co-axialrelation to the inner cutters. The cutters I5 are cylindrical and are smaller in diameter than the cutters I4. Suitable peripheral cutting teeth 50 are provided on the center cutters I5. Central longitudinal openings 5| extend through thecutters I5. The openings 5| are of the same diameter as the reduced inner portions of the openings 48 in the cutters I4. The openings 5| receive the web bosses 30 with slight clearance. In the preferred construction annular flanges or shoulders 52 are provided at the bases of the bosses 36 and are received in counterbores in the inner ends of the openings 5|; The shoulders 52 assist in preventing the entrance of mud and cuttings at the openings 5|.

The means I6 for rotatably mountingthe pairs of inner and center cutters I4 and I5 includes a single tubular bushing or bearing member 53 for each pair of cutters l4 and I5. The bearing members 53 extend through the openings 46 and 50 5| of the cutters I4 and I5, respectively, with suitable clearance having reduced inner portions received in the reduced inner parts of the openings 48 and in the openings 5|. The inner ends of the bearing members 53 engage against the bosses 30 and the outer ends of the bearing members-engage against the inner sides 22 of the body legs 20. Radial flanges 54 are provided on the outer ends of the bearing members 53. The flanges 54 overlap substantial portions of the outer ends of the cutters I4 and are preferably partially inset or recessed in the ends of the cutters. The flanges 54 aid in. preventing the entrance of mud and cuttings to the cutter openings 48. Lugs 55 are provided on' the flanges 54 and welds 56 secure the lugs 55 to the lower ends of the legs 28. The lugs 55 are formed to enage upwardly against the lower ends of the legs 28 and this engagement, together with the welds 56, prevents rotation of the bearing mem- The bearing members 53 being welded to the body legs 28 are effectively held against vibration.

-Ihemeans I6 is in the nature of an anti-friction bearing means operating to support the cutters I4 and I5 with a minimum ofincti m- A outward movement of the plugs 64 and 65.

plurality of spaced annular ball grooves 56 is provided in the wall of the opening 48 in each cutter I4. Circumferentially spaced ball grooves 51 are provided in the bearing members 53 to oppose the grooves 56. In the form of the in- 5 vention illustrated there are three sets or pairs of opposing grooves 56 and 51 for each cutter I4.

Balls 58 are arranged in the opposing grooves 56 and 51 to rotatably support the cutters I4 on the bearing members 53. The grooves 56 and 51 are 10 of such depth that the balls 58 transmit end thrusts in both directions as well as radial thrusts.

A pair of spaced annular ball grooves 59 is provided in the wall of the opening 5| of each cutter I5. A groove is provided in each bearing 15 member 53 to oppose the innermost groove 59 in the surrounding cutter I5. The grooves 60 are at the inner ends of the members 53 and have their inner sides open, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. are provided in the bearing members 53 to oppose the other grooves 59 in the cutters I5. Series of balls 62 are arranged in the opposing races or grooves 58 and 60 and 59 and 6| to rotatably support the cutters I5 on the bearing members 5|. 25 The opposing grooves 59and 6| are of such depth that the balls 62 received in them are adapted to transmit end thrusts in both directions as well as the radial thrusts. The balls 62 in the grooves 59 and 60 are capable of transmitting outward 3 end thrusts as well as radial thrusts. The corners of the bosses 38 may be ground of! or cut away to have suitable clearance with the balls 62 engaged in the opposing grooves 59 and 60. The grooves 68 being open at the inner ends of 35 the bearing members 53 allow the easy arrangement of the balls 62 in the opposing grooves 59 and 68 when the parts are assembled.

Radial bores or openings 63 are provided in the bearing members 53 and extend inwardly from 40 their ball grooves 51 to the openings 48. The openings 63 pass or admit the balls 58 to the registering grooves 58 and 51 when the cutters I4 are assembled on the bearing members 53. Plugs 64 occupy the openings 63 to prevent the escape of the balls 58 and the outer ends of the plugs 64 are shaped to conform with the walls of the grooves 51. A radial opening 15 is provided in each bearing member 53 to communicate with its groove 6|. The openings 15 pass or admitthe balls 62 to the opposing grooves 59 and 6| when the cutters I5 are assembled on the bearing members 53. Plugs occupy the openings 15 and the outer ends of the plugs 65 are, shaped to conform with the walls of the 55 grooves 6| Means are provided for preventing turning and An internal longitudinal key-way 66 is provided in each bearing member 53 and intersects the inner 0 ends of the openings 63 and 15. Keys 61 are provided on the inner ends of the plugs 64 and cooperate with the key-ways 66. Similar keys 68 are formed on the inner ends of the plugs 65 and cooperate .with the key-ways 66. The keys 81 65 and 88 are engaged in the key-ways 66 to prevent turning and outward movement of their respective plugs .64 and 65. The inner cutters I4 and the center cutters I5. are supported by the above described ball bearing means in such a 70 manner that thrust washers are unnecessary and the adjacent cutters are at all times free of one another.

The cutter mounting means -I 6 further'includes a single supporting pin or shaft 18 for carryin 75 Annular ball grooves BI 20 the two bearing members 53. Horizontal or transverse openings II are provided in the two body legs 20 and a transverse opening 12 is provided in the web part 26 in axial alignment with the openings II. The shaft 10 is arranged through or carried in the aligned openings "H and I2. The shaft 10 extends through the tubular bearing members 53 to support the same. One end portion of the shaft Hi is threaded in one opening II and a head" is formed onthe other end of the shaft and is'received in the other opening II. It will be apparent how the single pin or shaft Ill-serves to support two cutter units or assemblies comprising the bearing members 53 and the cutters l4 and IS. The opening 12 in the web part 26 is co-axial with the bosses 30 and extends through the bosses to be of substantial length and to provide a maximum support for the intermediate portion of the shaft 10. The pin or shaft 10 cooperates with the inner ends of the plugs 64 and 65 to prevent inward movement of the plugs. In the preferred construction the bearing members 53'are formed and mounted so that the openings 63 and 15 are in their upper sides or portions. With this relationshipof parts the walls of the grooves 51 and 6| at the openings 63 and and the end parts of the plugs 64 andfili are relieved of the heavier drilling forces.

The means It just described supports the inner cutters H for rotation about a horizontal axis and to project downwardly beyond the lower ends of the body legs 2|! so that they act on the formation at the bottom of the well bore. The center cutters Ii are supported by the means l6 to rotate about a transverse or horizontal axis and to project downwardly beyond the lower end of the web II to cut the central or inner part of the well bore.

It is believed that the operation of the bit provided by this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. .In operation the bit body I0 is 'secured to the lower end of a well drilling string and the string is'rotated downwardly beyond the body legs 18 cut the wellbore to gauge and make an annular cut in the bottom of the well. The sets or pairs of inner cutters l4 and center cutters l5 act on the bottom integral bearing member 53.

wall of the well bore to drill the inner portion of not subject to vibration.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do'not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific, details hereinset forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled inkthe art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

4 Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a rock 'bit, a body having a pair of de- I .penziing legs, a web on the-lower end of the body between the legs, aligned transverse openings in the legs and web, a supporting shaft carried in said openings, a tubular bearing member on the shaft at each side of the web and engaged between the web and the opposing leg, sets of roller cutters at opposite sides of the web, and anti-friction bearing means rotatably supporting a set of cutters on each member.

2. In a rock bit, 'a body having a pair of depending legs, a web on the lower end of the body between the legs, aligned transverse openings in the legs and web, a supporting shaft carried in said openings, a tubular bearing member on the shaft at each side of the web and engaged between the web and the opposing leg, sets of roller cutters at the opposite sides of the web, the members each having spaced annular ball grooves and the cutters having ball grooves opposing those in the bearing members, and balls in the opposing grooves rotatably supporting the cutters on the bearing members.

3. In a well bit, a body haying spaced legs on its lower end, a web at the lower end of the body spaced between the legs, welding joining the web withthe body, bosses on the web projecting toward rotatably supported on each bearing member, one

cutter of each set surrounding one of the bosses.

' 4. In a well bit, a body having spaced legs on its lower end, a web at the lower end of the body spaced between the legs, welding joining the web with the body, bosses on the web projecting toward the legs, the legs and web having aligned openings, the opening in the web passing through the bosses, a shaft extending between thefllegs and supported in said openings, bearing members on the shaft at each side of the web engaged between the bosses and the legs, flanges on the outer ends of the bearing members bearing against the legs,

and sets of tubular cutters rotatable on each memher, the inner cutter of each set receiving a boss which closes the cutter against the entrance of foreign matter, the outer gutter of each set receiving a flange which closes the cutter against the entrance of foreign matter.

5.v In a well bit, a body having spaced legs on its lower end, a web at the lower end of the body spaced between the legs, welding joining the web withthe body, bosses on the web projecting toward the legs, the legs and web having aligned openings, the opening in the web passing through the bosses, a shaft extending between the legs and supported in said openings, bearing members on the shaft at each side of the web engaged between the bosses and the legs, flanges on the outer ends welding securing the flanges to the legs, and sets of tubular cutters rotatable on each member, the inner cutter of each set receiving a boss which closes the cutter against the entrance of foreign of the bearing members bearing against the legs. 80/

0 with the body, bosses on the web projecting toward the legs, the legs and web having aligned openings, the opening in the web passing through the bosses, a shaft extending between the legs and supported in said openings, bearing members on the shaft at each side oI the web engaged between the bosses and the legs, the bearing members being integral and continuous from the bosses to the legs, a. set of cutters arranged in end to end relation on each bearing member, and anti-friction bearing elements supporting the cutters on the bearing elements for free rotation.

ALFRED C. CA'I'LAND. 

